One of the lessons I have learned at ATZUM is the power of cooperation. When like minded organizations can put their resources together there is no limit to what they can accomplish. At ATZUM, we have had the wonderful opportunity to partner with other organizations; where together we can achieve so much more for survivors of terror than each of us would have alone. One such partner is DIVOTE, a South African community organization that sponsors extra-curricular programs and summer camps for Israeli children whom are survivors of terror. Our relationship with DIVOTE goes back many years, and together we have seen first-hand the powerful impact of cooperation. At ATZUM, we focus primarily on the rehabilitative and educational needs of our client’s families in addition to working one-on-one to identify the specific steps that can be taken to foster their independence and self-reliance. DIVOTE focuses on recreational activities for children, or more importantly helping the children to “have fun”. They give the children of ATZUM families – who have been through so much pain and trauma – the chance to relax, enjoy, and just be kids.
Both ATZUM and DIVOTE come with different approaches but both have the same goal in mind. When ATZUM meets with parents who have been injured in terrorist attacks, one way we help them to overcome their setbacks is to create new educational or professional frameworks to empower them towards independence. With DIVOTE providing after-school activities and summer camps for their children, these parents can utilize their time to pursue new fields
of study or work additional hours. When it is the child who is a survivor of terror, a DIVOTE program plays an even more crucial role. Extra-curricular programs can give ATZUM children who may be having difficulty with their academic classes a chance to excel in sports, the arts, music or other creative areas.
We are grateful for this long-term relationship and for the “simcha” that DIVOTE brings to us and to our client’s families. We are grateful – and so are our families. Here, to illustrate their appreciation, is a note we just received from one such parent:
“Cheryl Shalom, My name is R’, I am the widower of D’ who was killed in a terror attack during Pesach in 2006. I have three lovely children: I’ is 10, K’ is 8 and a half, and E’ is 4 and a half.
I would like to thank ATZUM and Cheryl from DIVOTE in South Africa, for the financial help with paying for my children’s chugim (after-school activities).
I’ has been practicing Judo for five years and he won first place in the Israeli championship.
K’ participates in a skating chug.
E’ has just started a dancing chug.
I would also like to thank ATZUM’s workers Karyn and Gila who are in regular contact with me and care for our needs.
Attached are photos of us.
Thank you very much.”
That’s the power of cooperation!
Karyn London M.S.W.
The Roberta Project for Survivors of Terror
